Advanced Algebra Logarithms 01

1 Properties of Logarithms
There is a logical symmetry between the properties of exponential and logarithmic functions,
since logarithmic functions are the inverse of exponential functions.

Exponential Logarithmic

y = bx x = logb y

Product bm bn = bm+n logb mn = logb m + logb n

bm m
Quotient bn
= bmn logb n
= logb m logb n

Power (bm )n = bmn logb mn = n logb m

logc m
Change of Base logb m = logc b

2 Simplifying Logarithms - Examples

Simplifying logarithms usually involves rewriting the expression so that there is one logarithm
remaining.

1. 3.
81
log3 7 + log3 5 = log3 35 log7 81 log7 27 = log7
27

= log7 3

2. 4.
1 1
3 log14 x 2 log14 x = log14 x3 log14 x2
2 log4 x + log4 16 = log4 x2 + log4 16 2
2
x3
= log4 x2 + log4 4 = log14
x2

= log4 4x2 = log14 x

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Advanced Algebra Logarithms 01

3 Practice Problems
Rewrite each of these expressions as a single logarithm, and then convert to exponential form.

1. log2 x + log2 4 = 7. log2 8 log2 4 =

2. log2 7 + 3 log2 4 = 8. log4 256 3 log4 4 =

3. log3 5 + 2 log3 x = 9. log3 5 2 log3 x =

4. logb y + 3 logb y = 10. logb y logb y=

5. log15 y + log15 x + log15 4 = 11. log15 y log15 x + log15 4 =

6. loga 7 + 2 loga 7 + 13 loga 7 = 12. loga 7 + 2 loga 7 13 loga 7 =

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